You've seen Lorys on several blogs and I'm sure you've gotten a jar or two because of their raves but for those who has yet to know about it, Lorys is a Deep Moisturizing Hair Cream that comes in several variants: Shea Butter, Snake Oil, Fruit Cocktail, Nutri-Sun Gloss and Duo Chocolate. It's a hair care product that aims to give healthy looking hair. It comes in this huge 1000 grams jar that you would think belong in a salon. It's a good thing these come in 450g as well, for those who have limited bathroom space.

I've been subjecting my hair to a lot of chemical treatments for the past say, 8 years. I had my hair chemically straightened in Laong Laan, Manila, Rebonded in Bulacan, Marikina and recently Makati, I had it colored in MOA, Manda, Makati and even at my home in Pasig. I've had several hair mishaps in my 28 years that I already know what it needs and what it doesn't.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Did you know that I grew up with Beauty Bar near my school? Back in the
day I would spend a little bit of my free time everyday browsing inside the
store and listing things I would want my mom to give to me on special occassions.

It’s been a while since I last
visited the Beauty Bar and I do miss the ambiance of the store. I love the
white interiors, how spacious it is that you don’t bump into other shoppers
while looking around in with anyone while shopping. You sort of have a personal
space whenever you shop at Beauty Bar. And it’s almost impossible to walk out
of Beauty Bar without a purchase. Am I right? Or am I right?

What’s great is that they also
now have Human Nature Mineral makeup
that is proudly Philippine made. A brand I’ve been curious of for the longest
time now. They have choices from eyeshadow, blushes, lipstick and lip balms.

It’s really a great thing that Beauty
Bar decided to have an online store. shop.beautybar.com.ph,
that has several of their bestselling items. I’ve been an online-shopaholic for
years now especially since I’ve acquired a credit card and a Globe Gcash. It’s
just so easy for me to just click and pay then wait 4 to 5 days for my orders
than to drive to a mall.

Seeing Beauty Bar ads on
different beauty blogs got me so curious that I finally decided to check it out.
Aside from their bestselling in-store products, I was happy to know that they
have The Balm’s Time Balm concealer
available for purchase. I’ve heard great reviews about Time Balm on how heavy
duty a concealer it is. It effectively covers dark under eyes and blemishes and
how it doesn’t budge even those with oily skin.

Human Nature Boracay Bronze on stock as well. You know how crazy I
am about bronzers! I always say that bronzers are the Pinay’s cosmetic BFF. Bronzers give the much needed glow and
definition to our face. It also makes us sexier.

A perfect way to enhance my
natural makeup look is with Smashbox’s O
line, from the O-Glow, O-Gloss and O-Plump! And they have the famous Smashbox Photo Finish Primer in Travel Size
for only Php850. If you haven’t tried this, then you’re missing a lot. I
remember trying this and it was phenomenal. No oilies for hours!

Browsing through Beauty Bar online store is quite easy.
Registration was a breeze (save for typing my super long address)! In seconds, I
was clicking away stuff that I’ve been meaning to buy at the store. It was
pretty easy to navigate around the site. No downtime either which is a good
thing. Product descriptions were pretty much straight forward.

What’s great is that they accept
credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) and Globe Gcash. Almost everyone have credit
cards so no worries about that. But for others Gcash is pretty much an easy to
use type of debit account that doesn’t need a lot of hassle to acquire.
Everyone can have a Gcash so everyone can shop at BeautyBar.com.ph.

Beauty Bar also use a reliable
courier, LBC, to deliver orders.
Although the fee of Php200 maybe a bit steep, I think that security of the
package is more important. I highly suggest you pool orders with your friends
or sisters into one transaction to avail their Free Shipping promo. For
purchases of Php2500 and above, shipping fee is waved!

Another major plus point, if your
purchase reaches Php1000, you get a gift from Beauty Bar. I wonder what it is…
hmmm…

If you want to know more about
Beauty Bar Online Store, Beauty Bar
Online Store has concise FAQ page.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

How are you during these rainy days? I hope you're all safe from typhoon Pedring. The news last night was too scary to watch that's why I decided to stay in, read a nice romance novel and snuggle under the comforter. Then, I remembered that I need to blog. So here I am, blogging the night away about a product that has been helping me out lately.

VMV Hypoallergenics SKIN-THE-Bluff Concealer

VMV Hypoallergenics just came up with a wonderful new concealer to add among their bevy of hypoallergenic makeup, the SKIN-THE-Bluff Concealer.

As always, I'm not easily convinced when it comes to all-natural cosmetics. I always seem to have this feeling that they will not perform as good as traditional or regular cosmetic. I'm glad most of the time, my skepticism were proven wrong and that there are makeup out there that is just as good sans all the bad elements.

Do VMV's Skin-The-Bluff concealer live up to its perky name? To find out, click after the jump. :)

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Human Nature kindly sent me their latest Love Minerals Eyeshadow Palette in Enchanted Evening. It being a combination of purple eyeshadow shades made me very excited in trying it out. Not to mention that this will be the very first time that I will try their Love Minerals Line.

Enchanted Evening is a mix of gorgeous purples in different gradation for the crease, lid and brow bone. It is an ideal palette in creating a sexy smoky makeup look. Great for evening dates and events. You can use the eyeshadow palette wet or dry depending on the occassion or how rich you want the shade to be.

Love Minerals Mineral Eyeshadow in Enchanted Evening

The packaging is really cute, I love the box with the tree and heart leaves. It really evokes the name, Love Minerals. I'm also quite attached to the vine filigree design of the palette. It almost look whimsical. I'm glad that they came up with a purple palette as purple eye shadow compliment Filipina skin tones. As promised, it is velvet smooth and glides on the eye lid well.

Love Minerals Mineral Eyeshadow in Enchanted Evening

Look 1

I followed the instruction provided in the box of the Enchanted Evening mineral eyeshadow. I used the middle shade as base, defined my crease with the gray eyeshadow and highlighted my brow bone with lightest purple in the palette. The look was easy enough to follow and to recreate.

Look 2

The grey eye shadow makes a great base if you want to do a dark smokey look. I suggest you use this first if our eyes are in the smaller side or to a more oriental eyelids. Then apply the second shade of purple on to the crease. Finish it with highlighting, using the lightest shade. This, I think makes a better smokey eye makeup.

Love Minerals Mineral Eyeshadow in Enchanted Evening is only Php325 (approx $7.43) and is available online and at the Beauty Bar located at selected malls nationwide. Although the pigmentation is not as good as my traditional eye shadow palette, I'm quite pleased that this one is 110% No hamrful Chemicals. It has no chemical preservatives, parabens, mineral oil, artificial dyes or other toxic substances.

I hope that through the years, Love Minerals will offer more colors for the eyes and other eye makeup products. I'd love to try more from their line.

TIP:

To avoid looking like you've been punched with your purple eye makeup, define your eyes with some eyeliner and mascara. By doing doing this, your eyes appear brighter and wider. Even if it's a daytime or an evening look, never skip this part. You can opt to use just a little of the eyeliner by applying it thinly and closest to your lashline and intensify it if you're going out for the night.

visit www.humanheartnature.com to know more about Love Minerals or call (02) 931-5787.

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Monday, September 26, 2011

September 22, 2011, Makati -- Jane Iredale Philippines invited Manila's beauty and fashion bloggers to see what true mineral makeup is for those who take mineral makeup seriously.

I was one of the beauty bloggers who got a chance to try and test it for myself. Known as the skincare makeup brand, Jane Iredale is the makeup for real woman who have real skin problems. With the absence of talc, parabens and other harmful ingredients, all the products are safe even for those battling the worst of skin problems.

Turn to Jane Iredale makeup when you get that "A-ha!" moment and finally decide that you want to give only the best for your skin.

Enjoy an array of complete mineral base cosmetic line. From their award-winning Liquid Mineral Foundation, Amazing Base SPF 20 Loose Mineral Powders, PurePressed Blush tones and Moonglow Golden Bronzer Quad. Give color to your eyes with Artist Eyes palette or PurePressed Triple Eye Shadow Palettes. Enhance your lashes and brow with their Longest Lash Mascara and Pure Brow Fix eyebrow. Give your puckers the some loving with Just Kissed Lip Plumbers or PureMoist LipColours and top it off with PureGloss. All of these were developed with world-renowned plastic surgeons and dermatologists.

I first knew of Jane Iredale when I was learning my way around mineral makeup and it has been earning raves here in Manila. Now it's already in several stores and available nationwide. It's always been a dream to try Jane Iredale and I'm glad I got a chance to do so during this event.

Stephanie Zubiri, Judith Barraan, Jenny Yrasuegi and Nikki Teves

Beautiful Stephanie Zubiri, owner and chef of Epicurean Kitchen, shared her experiences about Jane Iredale and why she prefers it over other makeup. Ms. Judith provided us with insights and back ground of the brand and why she chose to bring it to Manila. She believes that every Filipina deserves the best and the healthiest for the skin and she knows only Jane Iredale can deliver it. Jenny Yrasuegi feels that Jane Iredale is a great makeup for busy women who don't want their skin to suffer. Nikki looks glowing with Jane Iredale, it's amazing how the collection can be used by young and mature alike without the fear of breaking out or cause other skin problems.

To give us a preview on what Jane Iredale cosmetics can do, most of us had our makeup done using only Jane Iredale. I was very impressed with the makeover of the bloggers. Their faces wete flawless, dewy and glowing that I just had to try it out myself.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Gone are the days when we think that Mineral Makeup comes only in powder form. Don't you just feel lucky to be alive an era continuously provide us with a lot options in beauty and cosmetics? Now you can have your mineral makeup in the form of what we were always used, too. In pressed form and yes, you can have a mineral makeup lipstick in the convenience of bullet tube sans the parabens and other harmful ingredients. No worries, either,about those lead content that says causes cancer.

What I like about being a cosmetic addict is that I know a rip off from a really good product. You really can't fool and addict. We'd rather scour more to find a good fix than settle for something that isn't worth our hard-earned dime.

As much I like high-end makeup brands, I admit that I can only afford them when I make extra bucks from work, save up or when I need to reward myself for good behavior. Other than that, I try to look for products that performs just as great but won't bankrupt me.

As with mineral makeup in traditional packaging, you'd think you'd pay an arm and leg just to have one. I'm happy to say that you don't have to!

I recently got introduced to Colour Collection's newest line, Mineral Cosmetics. They have a complete line of mineral makeup from mineral pressed powder, dual blush palette, eyeshadow quads and of course, mineral lipsticks which is the focus of this post!

Colour Collection Mineral Cosmetics

Colour Collection's Mineral Cosmetic Lipstick is only Php350 each.

Satin Shell | Plumberry | Swooth Wine | Brick Rose | Creamy Coral

Satin Shell | Plumberry | Swooth Wine | Brick Rose | Creamy Coral

Satin Shell is a pink brown shade that is ideal for everyday use. This is definitely an MLBB (my lips but better) kind of lipstick. It's a great dupe of MAC Cosmo Amplified Lipstick.

Plumberry is a warm satin pink lipstick that will compliment your regular smokey black eye makeup. This type of shade doesn't discriminate skin tones. From the fairest of fair to the golden morensa, this pink lipstick is a sure to make you pretty in an instant. The closest shade that I have on my stash is CoverGirl's Lip Perction in Heavenly.

Smooth Wine is a warm deep red shade that is worthy of 1920's look, Flapper Era. The shade, like its name, reminds me of a rich red wine. Comparing it to my other red lipsticks, Smooth Wine seemed toned down and makes me conclude that this is a wearable wine red. The closest shade I could find in my stash is Maybelline's ColorSentational Lipstick in Sunrise Set.

Brick Red is a warm brown red shade with tinge of orange. Yes, it does remind me of red bricks but it's not that flat with its satin texture. This will definitely spice up a neutral makeup. This shade compared to my other lip colors appear to be a tamer shade of red.

Creamy Coral is an ideal peach/orange lipstick and compliments most Asian skin tone. I don't have anything like this in my collection. It's very coral to the point of orange on my pigmented lips. Use this shade when creating bronzey or peach-y eye makeup to complete your look.

Satin Shell | Plumberry | Swooth Wine | Brick Rose | Creamy Coral

Satin Shell | Plumberry | Swooth Wine | Brick Rose | Creamy Coral

What I like:

Amazingly pigment. - I was pleased to know that Colour Collection didn't minced on the quality of this collection as they really have a fabulous selection of regular/traditional lipsticks.

Scent and/or tastes is like milk chocolate - Maybe vanilla to some.

It's a mineral makeup!

Easy to apply - I didn't feel the need to use a lip brush. (although using a lip brush always assure even and precise application especially on red lipsticks)

The lipstick bullet is sturdy enough and doesn't move around the tube.

Great wearable color selection

At par with my regular high end and some affordable lipsticks.

Staying power is like any regular lipstick

Doesn't have that filmy feel when applied

It doesn't bleed on the edges of my lips (even the red shades)

No need for lip liners (although this can help lipstick stay longer)

I love the sheen that is between matte and satin-y

Affordable at only Php350 each tube.

What I don't:

Although it's not really a big factor, I'm not all too thrilled about the simplicity of the packaging. But I guess, packaging is not a huge factor in deciding what lipstick to buy.

Swatches

As per tradition, below are the swatches on my arm and lips, add to that photos of me (my face wearing each lipstick with a neutral makeup look. :)

Satin Shell | Plumberry | Swooth Wine | Brick Rose | Creamy Coral

Satin Shell | Plumberry | Swooth Wine | Brick Rose | Creamy Coral

Satin Shell | Plumberry

Swooth Wine | Brick Rose

Creamy Coral

I definitely recommend getting Satin Shell and Plumberry. These shades are my most favorite as I find them flattering on my fair-medium skin tone. Although red lipstick are gaining back it's throne for the Fall season, red isn't a color that one can maximize. Satin Shell can definitely take you from day to night by simply swipe a gloss on top of it. But if you're wearing for wearable reds, keep in mind Smooth Wine and Brick Red. You can purchase Creamy Coral for out of town trips to beach or keep one in stock for summer and spring.

Lipstick Epiphany

One thing is for sure, these shades are great in changing your look even if you barely know how to apply eye makeup as I've proven on photos above. You don't need to be a makeup artist in order to achieve a certain look. All you need are several lipstick and you'll be a whole new you.

Where to find Colour Collection Cosmetics

Colour Collection is available through direct selling. Call 02-859-3000 and they will get you in touch with a dealer near you. Better yet, become a dealer yourself and enjoy discounts and perks! Visit their facebook page at www.facebook.com/tupperwarebrandsph.

They also have a cause right now called Click for A Tree as their efforts to save the environment. Visit www.clickforatree.com and do your part for Mother Nature. It already has 4,595 clicks. Add yours!

Back to the Mineral Lipsticks

Did you like the new selection of the mineral lipsticks? What are you eyeing to purchase for yourself? Have you tried any mineral lipsticks? Share your thought with me on the comment section! :)

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Thursday, September 22, 2011

Getting smooth skin is just seconds aways! I've been a fan of Goodskin Labs Smooth-365 Intensive Clarity + Peptide Serum. Read my review here. I consider this a primer and anti-aging skin care in one. Thanks to Smooth-365, I hardly have any wrinkles! Yes, it works and it works like crazy.

That's why I'm so excited to share this contest with you, ladies (and even gents)!

No specific requirement/s in your indicated reason but GoodSkin Labs would love to read creative posts

(Hint: Three (3) creative reasons posted under the topic will be given their very own Smooth-365 as well. *wink*)

Step 3:Leave a comment down below with the following details:

Your Complete Name

Link to your tweet

Posted reason at Smooth Skin In Seconds Topic

Why you should join?

If you've been wanting a product to reduce oiliness and appearance of pores and in the long run give you smooth clear skin, then Smooth-365 is the product for you!

Reminders:

Tweet + Reason + Comment = One Entry*

No purchase necessary to join the contest

*You may, however, join the contest again under the two partner bloggers and that would be considered a separate entry!

Two (2) winners will be chosen randomly via random.org. All winners will be announced on September 30 and will have 48 hours to send their contact info via email. If the winner/s fail to respond within two days after announcement, we will be selecting another winner/s.

Good Luck everyone!

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Wednesday, September 21, 2011

I celebrated my birthday last Saturday with my BFF's from college and we hit one of Cainta's popular burger joint, H.I.D. Burgers. The joint was situated beside Phoenix gas station and they serve really juicy flame-grilled chicken burgers and lots of booze! Don't worry, we didn't get drunk. It was just nice time to bond with friends again. And I'm glad that all of my main girls were able to make it.

Of course, I wouldn't leave the house without any makeup on as I see opportunities like this to dress up and do my makeup. I've been obsessing over bronzey looks lately. I think it's one of the best way to bring out the beauty of our golden skin tones. I love how browns and bronzes blends to our looks seamlessly, giving dimension and definition to our eyes and faces without you looking too made up like black smokey looks.

For the Face:

Graftobian Cool Palette #1 (Morning Glow for the face and Sunrise Flush for the Under eyes)

It's been a while since I last used my Graftobian Palette and it really has a way of providing a flawless finish when used with the Beauty Blender sponge. As always, I gravitate to Nars Orgasm for that perfect flushed looked. I didn't realize how nice the MAC Bone Beige Emphasize Scupt and Shape Powder in contouring my jaws. I should use this more often. I've recently purchased the Tony Moly Love Eyebrow pencil due to Jheng's recommendation and it's nice. Cheap, too, at less than Php200!

And in case you're wondering, Covergirl Lip Perfection in Heavenly is a new favorite everyday pink lipstick!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

"Angelica Panganiban just can’t get enough of the fresh and light feeling she gets from Pond’s White Beauty Naturals. So much so that she wants to share it with you and your friends!

That's why she's inviting you to join Pond's Face to Face with Angelica. All you need to do is name some friends who you think should get Pond’s nature gift packs. As a thank you, you’ll get a treat, plus a special video from Angelica herself! At the end of the promo, she might even want to meet you and your friend in person.

Let Angelica surprise your friends with a message and she'll even share her latest skin care regimen with you - Pond's White Beauty Naturals. And you might even get a chance to meet her in person and chat with her. Just head on over to the Pond's Philippines Facebook Page and start using the Pond's White Beauty Naturals app and start nominating friends that you'd want Angelica to messages to.

I've sent out a few ones already and its fun choosing who to nominate. :) And you got to watch the video! It's so cute!

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I have recenltly reacquianted myself with the beauty brand, VMV. In three years of beauty blogging, you'd think I've had the chance to try all the cosmetic brands here in Manila. That's not the case. Like many of you, I tend to stick to the same brands that has worked for me in the past. But recent events called me to go outside my the proverbial box, try out more from VMV Hypoallergenics.

VMV Hypoallergenics pride themselves on having almost a full range of products that has zero allergens. VMV continuously keep track of new allergens and reformulate should such allergen be present in their products.

VMV takes this tedious undertaking seriously.. For over 30 years, they have had less than 0.1% reactions reported. Hats off to VMV!

But I was worried about the quality, especially on the cosmetic part. I wasn't sure that it will work the same as other cosmetic brands I've tried. Quite wary that the blush wasn't pigmented enough or the lipgloss too sheer. Although I would love a makeup without any allergen, sacrificing the pigmentation and staying power isn't my cup of tea.

Pam and Marie assured us that that isn't the case with VMV cosmetics. In VMV, they understand the needs of women for makeup that delivers especially those with a lot of skin concerns. They made sure that whatever cosmetic product you get from VMV will have no repurcussion on your skin and at the same time deliver the color and coverage you need.

I've had the pleasure to try a few products from them in the past. This time however, I tried those that adds color to our skin. Two of them are the Skin Bloom Blush in Heat and Subtle Shine Lipstick in Giddy.

VMV Hypoallergenics Skin Bloom Blush in Heat

VMV Hypoallergenics Skin Bloom Blush in Heat

One of the things that caught my attention as I started to open up the Skin Bloom Blush is that it comes in a small velvet zip-up box. It looked almost like a ring box. Once opened, you'll see a nice shiny acrylic palette and the brush it accompanies it.

According to the VMV website, their Skin Bloom Blush are all 100% Dye-Free, 100% Phthalate-Paraben + Preservative-Free, and 100% All-Types-Of-Fragrance-Free. It also contains green tea for its antioxidant benefits, virgin coconut oil for moisurization and monolaurin for disinfection. It also has Titanium Dioxide and iron oxide pigments for sun protection.*

The applicator brush that comes with the blush was patch-tested to ensure that is it safe to use for the skin. And soft enough that if you lack any other blush brushes, you can definitely settle for this one.

VMV Hypoallergenics Skin Bloom Blush in Heat

VMV Hypoallergenics Skin Bloom Blush in Heat

Skin Bloom Blush in Heat is a warm deep rose coral with mild shimmers that melds on to the skin flawlessly. Fake a tan with this blush and make your skin glow naturally. I consider this as "My-Cheeks-But-Better" Blush. So if you're within the medium-fair skin tone, you might want to check this out.

It's the perfect blush if you're aspiring for that au naturelle look. It being a coral shade makes it perfect for Asian skin, more so Filipinas and those living in a tropical country.

Heat on me

-o-

VMV Hypoallergenics Subtle Shine Lipstick in Giddy

VMV's Subtle Shine Lipsticks are rich in color, glide smoothly as silk and lends shine to the lips. It's non-drying formulation prevents chapped lips which might be because of the ingredient, virgin coconut oil, for moisturization. Being free of almost all allergens and irritating waxes, Subtle Shine Lipsticks doesn't cause darkening of the lips. It's completely non-comedogenic, and free from dye and dangerous parabens. This lipstick means serious business in protecting your lips. Like their blushes, it also has tea tree for antioxidant and of course, titanium dioxide and iron oxide for added sun protection.

VMV Hypoallergenics Subtle Shine Lipstick in Giddy

It's a good thing that there wasn't anything subtle with Subtle Shine Lipstick. It has almost that lip gloss effect sans the stickiness.

Giddy is a festive fluorescent coral hue. It is most flattering on fair to medium skin tones. With just a few swipes, this warm shade turns almost pink on my already pigmented lips. Subtle Shine is moisturizing and does not encourage chapping of the lips. Staying power is until your next drink or meal. But it gives a bit of tint to the lips that I didn't expect at all.

This shade is certainly not for everyday use. Good thing that VMV have fabulous color selection for those looking for a bit more of the everyday feel. What I notice as well with most of their collection is that it is very flattering to all skin tones.

Giddy is definitely ideal for summer along with a neutral makeup look. Similar to the makeup look I did below.

VMV Hypoallergenics Subtle Shine Lipstick in Giddy (Swatch)

Makeup Look using Giddy

VMV Hypoallergenics indeed warrants a second (and possibly a few more) looks from me. Although I am not your typical tree-hugger in love with all-natural products, I do agree that products that contain no harmful ingredients is better for the skin and could possibly deliver you from having troubled skin to begin with. I'm suffering from acne right now and I believe that sticking to products with less to no allergens is better for my skin. That and a good skin care regimen will probably reduce the chance of more acne flaring up.

If price is of no issue to you and you want a makeup that scientifically proven to be good for the skin, VMV Hypoallergenics is the right brand for you. And this high-end brand that has stores all over the globe is actually home grown. That reason alone makes me feel good in using VMV.

More VMV product posts soon!

Have you tried anything from VMV? What are your favorites? If you wish for me to do a review of VMV products, just comment below and I'll try to do them.